Metrics for Evaluating and Ranking Ski Resorts

The ski data nerd’s guide to hacking the resort stats to choose where to go skiing next winter.

Learn all the possible ways you can slice and dice the world’s best ski destinations.

This is an attempt to create an exhaustive list of measurable ski area and holiday resort features. A study in how to rate and rank ski resorts, according to all of the different criteria that varying types of skier and ski holiday maker could use, to determine the most appropriate mountain destinations for their own specific skiing vacations.

Total Piste Length (km/mi) – The total length of marked ski runs in the resort, often measured in kilometres or miles. Some sources distinguish between total skiable routes and groomed runs specifically maintained by snowcats.
Vertical Drop – The elevation difference between the highest point and base of the ski area. A larger vertical drop often means longer continuous descents. For example, See in Austria has a 1,538 m vertical difference (2,578 m top, 1,048 m base).
Ski Area Size (Hectares/Acres) – The area covered by the skiable terrain. This can be given in hectares or acres, and may include both groomed pistes and off-piste areas (e.g. 1,470 ha at Stubai Glacier including off-piste, with 205 ha of groomed runs)
Number of Runs/Trails – The count of individual ski runs or trails. Indicates the variety of slope choices. For instance, a resort might offer 94 trails across 1,800 acres or “43 km of slopes” encompassing all runs.
Longest Run – The length of the single longest continuous run in the resort. This is a notable statistic for those who enjoy long runs without breaks. (e.g. “La Sarenne” in Alpe d’Huez is 16 km; some rankings explicitly list longest run length as a metric)

Difficulty & Terrain Variety

Terrain Distribution by Difficulty – The percentage breakdown of runs by difficulty level (e.g. beginner, intermediate, advanced, expert). Resorts often report what proportion of trails are green/easy, blue/intermediate, red/advanced, black/expert. (For example, a mix might be 18% easy, 63% intermediate, 19% difficult – or a North American resort listing “Terrain Mix: 40–35–25” for easy/intermediate/advanced)
Off-Piste & Backcountry Access – The availability of skiable terrain beyond groomed pistes. This includes marked ski routes, hike-to areas, or accessible backcountry bowls. Resorts known for off-piste will highlight powder fields or guided backcountry zones for experts. (e.g. some Alpine resorts have dedicated “ski routes” outside groomers, or allow heli-skiing/cat-skiing in nearby backcountry.)
Freeride/Expert Terrain Challenge – The presence of very challenging slopes (steep couloirs, mogul fields, glacier runs). Some rankings rate the “challenge” a mountain offers to advanced skiers. A high percentage of advanced and expert runs or famous expert-only areas contribute to this.
Terrain Parks & Freestyle Features – Parks equipped with jumps, rails, halfpipes, and other freestyle elements for snowboarders and freestyle skiers. Metrics here include the number of terrain parks or snowpark lines, halfpipes, boardercross courses, etc. (e.g. A resort might have 4 park areas, a halfpipe and a dedicated snowcross track) The size and quality of these parks can be a ranking factor for freestyle enthusiasts.

Snow Conditions & Reliability

Average Annual Snowfall – The typical yearly snowfall total, often given in centimeters or inches, indicating how much snow a resort naturally receives. Some sources break this down by month or report average snow depths throughout the season. (For example, Alta Ski Area in Utah averages 552 inches annual snowfall)
Snow Reliability – A measure of how consistently a resort has sufficient snow cover during the season. High-altitude or north-facing resorts, or those with glaciers, tend to be “snow-sure” with reliable conditions. Some guides give a snow reliability rating or list “snow-sure” resorts known for retaining good snow. Factors include altitude of slopes, orientation (north-facing slopes hold snow longer), and historical snowpack records.
Snowmaking Coverage – The percentage of runs covered by artificial snowmaking systems. This indicates how much of the terrain can be supplemented with man-made snow to ensure coverage in low-snow periods. (For example, as of 2020 about 53% of Swiss slopes, 70% of Austrian, 90% of Italian, and 37% of French slopes had snowmaking equipment) A higher coverage can greatly improve reliability in warmer winters.
Slope Grooming Quality – The standard of piste preparation. While not a raw number, many European sources give a rating for grooming (how well and frequently slopes are groomed). Some resorts advertise the proportion of runs groomed nightly or the number of snow groomers operating. Well-groomed pistes contribute to higher resort ratings.
Slope Orientation & Weather – Details like the direction slopes face (north, south, etc.) and microclimate. These affect snow quality (north-facing slopes retain powder longer, south-facing get sun). This isn’t always a published metric, but specialist reports often note it for snow quality. (e.g. Méribel lists its slope orientations SE, E, NW, etc.) Consistent winter weather patterns (frequency of storms, typical temperatures) also play a role in evaluations of a resort’s snow conditions.

Season Length

Operating Season Dates – The typical opening and closing dates of the ski season, indicating how long you can ski there. Some high-altitude or glacier resorts have very long seasons (October through May, or even summer skiing). For each resort, guides often list the season start and end dates. (e.g. “mid December – late April” for many alpine areas) A longer season can boost a resort’s ranking for enthusiasts who want more months of skiing.
Days of Operation – Number of skiable days per season (or whether the resort operates for a guaranteed 100-day season). Snow-reliability studies sometimes use a 100-day benchmark as a metric for a viable season. In practice, this is closely tied to snow reliability and snowmaking capabilities.
Night Skiing Availability – Whether the resort offers extended hours after dark on floodlit slopes. If so, how many nights per week and how much terrain is lit for night skiing. This can be a factor for season length (skiable hours) and adds to a resort’s appeal. (e.g. some resorts have specific lifts open for night skiing until 9pm, or a weekly night-skiing event on certain runs.)

Lift Infrastructure & Efficiency

Number of Lifts – Total count of lift devices (gondolas, chairlifts, drag lifts, etc.) serving the resort. This indicates capacity and how well the terrain is connected. For example, a medium resort might have 11 lifts, while large interconnected areas can have 50+. Often broken down by type (e.g. 5 gondolas, 7 chairlifts, 10 surface lifts) to show modernization level of the network.
Lift Types & Modernity – The mix of lift technologies: high-speed detachable chairs, gondolas, trams, older slow lifts, magic carpets, etc. A resort with more high-speed and high-capacity lifts will score better for comfort and efficiency. (Some info sources even list specifics like number of 8-person chairs, funitels, cable cars, etc.)
Uphill Capacity (Persons per Hour) – How many skiers the lift system can transport uphill per hour. This metric is sometimes provided by resorts or industry publications to indicate how well the lifts can handle crowds (e.g. Big Sky’s lift system moves 44,000 people/hour). Higher capacity often means shorter queues.
Lift Queue Times – Typical wait times at lifts during peak periods. While hard numbers aren’t always published, survey-based rankings consider crowd management and “crowd flow” as a factor. A resort that is known to have minimal lift lines (often due to ample lift capacity relative to visitors) will rank higher in this aspect. (Some independent rating systems include a “Crowds” or “Lift lines” score to evaluate this qualitatively)
Lift Pass Integration – Whether the ski pass covers multiple linked resorts or regions. This isn’t a numeric metric, but it’s a notable attribute: e.g. being part of a large ski area or pass (Ikon, Epic, or in Europe the Dolomiti Superski, etc.) can effectively increase the skiable domain. A resort’s inclusion in a larger network might be mentioned as a perk in rankings. (For instance, Zermatt’s international link to Cervinia, or resorts in Austria on the same SuperSki Card.)
Operating Hours – The daily lift operating times, which indicate how many hours of skiing are available per day (e.g. 8:30–16:00 standard in Alps). Some resorts might open earlier or offer night skiing (as noted above), extending ski hours. While most have similar hours, slight differences aren’t usually a major ranking factor but are noted in resort info.

Accessibility & Location

Nearest Airports and Transfer Time – The distance to the closest major airports and typical transfer times to the resort. This is crucial for travel convenience, especially for international visitors. (For example, Seefeld (Austria) is 22 km/25 minutes from Innsbruck Airport, while some resorts in France are 2–3 hours from the nearest airport.) Shorter, easier transfers often make a resort more appealing for weekend trips.
Access by Train/Bus – Availability of rail connections or shuttle bus services to the ski area. European resorts often highlight a nearby train station or ski bus links. (e.g. Eurostar/train access to the Tarentaise resorts, or a mountain railway directly to the village.) Good public transport access can enhance a resort’s accessibility rating.
Road Access & Parking – The quality of roads and parking facilities. If a resort has a highway nearby or well-maintained access roads, plus ample parking or traffic management, it improves convenience. Some resort info pages specifically mention “Accessibility, on-site parking” as a rated category.
Proximity to Town and Amenities – Some evaluations consider how close the ski area is to accommodations (walkable village vs. requiring driving). A “ski-in/ski-out” village (where lodging is directly on the slopes) is a big plus for accessibility. Conversely, if a resort requires a long commute up a mountain road each day, that might be a slight negative in comparisons.

Costs & Affordability

Ski Pass Price – The cost of lift tickets, typically a day pass or 6-day pass price for adults (and sometimes for children). This is a key metric for value: cheaper lift prices can make a resort rank higher in affordability(For example, a day pass might be €63 for adults at an Austrian resort, whereas some budget resorts charge much less.) Rankings of “most affordable” resorts explicitly compare ticket prices.
Accommodation Costs – Average price of lodging, often cited as the cost of a standard hotel room per night in peak season. High-end resorts may have costly lodging, while others are known for budget-friendly options. Affordability indexes include this metric (e.g. average hotel cost per night) when ranking budget-friendly ski areas.
Lesson and Rental Prices –The cost of ski school and equipment hire. Family-oriented comparisons use the hourly price of adult or child lessons as a factor. Equipment rental costs could also be considered. Lower lesson prices can make a resort attractive for beginners on a budget.
Value for Money Ratings – Some surveys or websites roll up costs into an overall “value” score. This might not be a direct statistic, but rather a composite of prices vs. what you get (quality of skiing, infrastructure). For instance, SKI Magazine’s reader survey historically had a “Value” category where resorts are rated by visitors on bang-for-buck.

Accommodation & Resort Capacity

Bed Count / Visitor Capacity – The total number of guest beds in the resort area or number of hotels/chalets available. This indicates the size of the resort town and how many visitors it can accommodate. A large French mega-resort might have tens of thousands of tourist beds, whereas a small village will have far fewer. (For example, St. Anton am Arlberg has hundreds of lodging options – one study noted 502 hotels with a spa in the area, implying a very large accommodation base.)
Types of Lodging – The mix of accommodation types: hotels, apartments, chalets, B&Bs, etc. A well-rounded resort offers everything from luxury hotels to budget hostels. Some rankings note if a resort is dominated by hotels vs. self-catered apartments, etc., to match different traveler preferences.
Ski-In/Ski-Out Accommodation – How much of the lodging offers direct slope access. This is a big convenience factor. Purpose-built resorts (e.g. Avoriaz or many American ski-in villages) score well here, whereas a town requiring a shuttle to the lifts might be less convenient. Ski tour operators often tag resorts with good ski-in/ski-out availability as a selling point.
Mountain Restaurants & Huts – (Although not “beds,” on-mountain dining is part of capacity.) The number and quality of on-slope restaurants or huts can also be a factor, as it reflects how well the resort handles feeding visitors and the overall ski experience. Sno.co.uk, for instance, rates “Eating on the mountain” as a category. A large ski area might boast dozens of eateries on the slopes.

Family-Friendliness & Beginner Facilities

Beginner Terrain – The quantity and quality of beginner slopes. Metrics include the percentage of green/easy runs and whether there are dedicated novice areas or magic carpets. Resorts known for beginners often have nursery slopes at the base and gentle, wide runs (a higher % of easy runs translates to a better beginner score).
Ski Schools & Instruction – Number of ski schools in the resort and the languages they offer instruction in. A large international resort may have multiple ski schools (e.g. the national ski school plus private schools) with instructors who speak English, French, German, etc. The availability of lessons in a visitor’s language and high instructor-to-student ratios are key for family rankings. (Some guides list the “number of ski schools” or highlight if there are specialist kids’ ski academies and multilingual instructors.)
Children’s Facilities – Family-focused amenities like ski kindergartens, daycare for toddlers, kids’ snow parks or fun slopes, and gentle toboggan areas. A resort’s “families” or “child friendly” rating will weigh the presence of kids’ clubs, babysitting services, and safe beginner areas. Metrics might include number of childcare centers or special kids’ lift passes, etc.
Child Lift Pass Price – The cost of children’s ski passes (and from what age kids ski free or at discount). This is often considered in family-friendly value comparisons. Lower costs or free under a certain age can elevate a resort’s family affordability ranking.
Family-Friendly Accommodation – The availability of family rooms, suites or chalets, and hotels that cater to families (perhaps with play areas, pools, or babysitting). One metric example is the “number of family friendly hotels/chalets/apartments” used in some indices. Also, resorts may be noted for a lack of nightlife noise, making them calmer for families.

Advanced Skiing & Freeride Appeal

Advanced/Expert Run Percentage – Share of slopes rated advanced or expert (black grade in Europe). A high percentage of difficult runs signals a resort suited to seasoned skiers. (e.g. a resort might advertise 10% expert black runs, or have famous extremely steep runs that attract experts.)
Off-Piste Opportunities – The extent of accessible off-piste terrain, including ski touring routes or lift-accessed off-piste. While not usually given as a simple number, some resorts quantify ski routes in kilometers (marked but un-groomed trails). Guidebooks will note if a resort is renowned for off-piste powder (like Chamonix or Verbier) which boosts its appeal to expert skiers.
Heliskiing/CAT Skiing – Whether the resort permits heliskiing or has snowcat skiing operations nearby. In Europe, heliskiing is limited but some Italian/Swiss areas allow it; in North America this can be a draw. This is a niche attribute: if available, it’s highlighted for expert thrill-seekers.
Vertical Challenge – Apart from total vertical drop, experts enjoy sustained steep descents. Some rankings consider if a resort offers huge top-to-bottom runs or extreme vertical in one go. For example, the presence of a 2,000+ meter uninterrupted descent is a selling point for advanced skiers (even if it’s partly on piste, partly off-piste).
Snow Quality for Off-Piste – Deep, light powder is the holy grail for advanced skiers. Regions are sometimes ranked by snow quality (e.g. the Rockies’ dry powder vs. heavier coastal snow). A site like ZRankings scores North American resorts on powder frequency and quality. This isn’t a standard stat at resort level, but it’s implicitly considered in expert-oriented rankings.

Freestyle & Snow Parks

Terrain Parks Count – Number of snow parks or terrain park areas in the resort. Large resorts might have multiple parks targeting different levels (beginner parks, pro-line parks, etc.). Each park’s size or number of features can also be noted (e.g. “two terrain parks with 40+ features”).
Halfpipes and Special Features – Presence of halfpipe (and whether Olympic-sized superpipe or smaller) and other unique park features like air bags, rail gardens, boardercross courses. These are often mentioned in resort facts for those into freestyle.
Freestyle Facilities Quality – Some rankings or reviews rate the parks qualitatively (size, maintenance, variety of features). A resort could be known for having one of the best snowparks in its region, which would be highlighted in its accolades (e.g. Laax in Switzerland is famed for its park and pipes, often topping freestyle rankings).
Events for Freestyle –Not a static metric, but noteworthy: if the resort hosts major freestyle competitions or has dedicated freestyle training areas, it underscores the strength of its park scene. (For instance, hosting the X Games or similar events is a sign of world-class park facilities.)

Dining, Nightlife & Après-Ski

Number of Restaurants – The count of dining establishments in the resort (both on-mountain and in the village). A high number of restaurants indicates a variety of food options. Some “non-skier” resort rankings consider how many restaurants are available for dining out.
Cuisine Quality/Gastronomy – While subjective, some guides rate the mountain restaurants and culinary scene. A resort known for gourmet on-mountain dining or a variety of cuisines will score points. (For example, Italian resorts often highlight on-slope dining quality, and skiresort.info has a category for “Food/Gastronomy”)
Après-Ski Rating – A qualitative score or description of the post-ski social scene (typically late-afternoon slope-side partying and lively bars). Resorts like St. Anton or Verbier are famous for après-ski and often receive high marks in this category. Big ski travel portals like SNO explicitly rate “Après-ski”, and enthusiast travel sites/blogs will list top resorts for nightlife. This can include number of bars/clubs and the overall vibe.
Nightlife Options – Beyond just après, the availability of pubs, clubs, live music, and events in the evening. Metrics might include number of bars or clubs, or just a general “nightlife intensity” rating. (Some tour operators tag resorts as “lively” vs “quiet.” For instance, Ibiza-like partying in Ischgl vs. a tranquil village elsewhere.)
Events & Festivals – Big concerts, festivals or cultural events hosted by the resort (e.g. music festivals like Tomorrowland Winter in Alpe d’Huezsnowmagazine.com). These events aren’t always in the raw stats, but they elevate a resort’s profile for those interested in nightlife and entertainment when ranking resorts for atmosphere.

Other Winter Activities

Cross-Country Skiing – Kilometers of cross-country (Nordic) ski trails available. Many resorts list their groomed cross-country track length (some have extensive networks, which is a draw for Nordic skiers). If a resort is excellent in this domain, it’s noted in rankings or categories (e.g. “Best resorts for cross-country”).
Toboggan Runs – Any toboggan/sledging tracks, with their length and features. For example, a resort might boast a 6 km long toboggan run accessible by lift. This is a fun family activity and appears in descriptions of winter alternatives.
Winter Hiking/Snowshoe Trails – The number of winter walking trails or snowshoe routes (sometimes given in km or count of marked trails). Resorts catering to non-skiers will highlight scenic hikes; one index counted hiking options within a radius of the resort. (St. Anton, for instance, has hundreds of kilometers of winter hiking routes)
Ice Skating & Other Sports – Facilities like natural or artificial ice rinks, curling areas, indoor pools, bowling, etc. that provide off-slope entertainment. These aren’t always listed in a single metric, but a resort known for a good ice rink or sports centre may mention it in its overview.
Spa/Wellness Facilities – The presence of spas, thermal baths, or wellness centers either in hotels or as public facilities. A resort might be noted for its spa offerings; one metric used was the number of hotels with a spa. This is especially considered for ranking resorts on non-ski activities or for skiers who appreciate wellness after skiing.
Other Uniquely Local Activities – e.g. sleigh rides, dog sledding, paragliding, snowmobiling, ice climbing. While not standardized metrics, the variety of such activities can be a factor in how well-rounded a resort is. Travel guides often list these under resort amenities for those who want more than just skiing.

Environmental Sustainability

Environmental Certifications – Any official eco-certifications the resort holds, such as ISO 14001 for environmental management, the “Flocon Vert” (Green Snowflake) label in France, or other sustainability awards. These indicate commitment to sustainable operations. A resort’s participation in programs (like protecting local flora/fauna or sustainable tourism charters) can be noted.
Eco-Friendly Operations – Metrics or notes on things like renewable energy usage, public transport promotion, recycling and waste management, or limits on car traffic. Skiresort.info, for example, has an “Environmental friendliness” evaluation category. Concrete stats might include percentage of renewable energy powering lifts, or carbon footprint per skier — though these are rarely in mainstream brochures, they may be mentioned in sustainability reports.
Climate Initiatives – Efforts such as reforestation projects, greenhouse gas reduction targets, or innovation in snowmaking efficiency (reducing water/energy use). While not a simple statistic, resorts that rank highly in sustainability will publicize these initiatives. Some might quantify things like hectares of forest preserved or energy saved annually via solar panels, etc.
Car-Free or Low-Impact Resort – If the village is pedestrianized (car-free) or if there’s a robust ski-bus system reducing individual car use, it’s often highlighted as a sustainability and quality-of-experience factor. This can indirectly serve as a metric of how much the resort prioritizes environment (and also improves air quality and ambiance for visitors).
Education & Awareness – Number of environmental programs or visitor awareness initiatives (like info boards about local ecology, or ski patrol-led eco workshops). Again, not standard in data tables, but a plus in narrative evaluations of resorts’ holistic appeal.

Overall Resort Quality & Other Factors

Visitor Satisfaction Rating – The average user review score, typically out of 5 or 10, from visitor feedback on sites like OnTheSnow or other platforms. For example, an index might include a “visitor review score (out of 5)” as a metric in ranking resorts. A high aggregate rating indicates strong overall satisfaction (covering everything from skiing to service).
Staff Friendliness — A qualitative measure of service and hospitality. Some ski resort test reports rate “Friendliness of staff” as a category. While subjective, it can differentiate resorts (especially important in family-run smaller resorts known for charm).
Cleanliness & Hygiene – Cleanliness of facilities (mountain restaurants, restrooms, ski buses, etc.). This is another category in certain European rating systems. A well-maintained, clean resort environment contributes to the overall experience score but is rarely a deal-breaker metric on its own.
Atmosphere & Scenery – The alpine ambiance, scenic beauty, and charm of the village. Though hard to quantify, it’s often mentioned by experts. Some might call it “Mountain aesthetic” or simply village charm. A resort nestled in spectacular scenery or with a quaint, historic town might be favored in rankings that consider subjective atmosphere.
Innovation & Investments – Recent improvements like new lifts, upgraded facilities, or expansions. While not a permanent metric, the pace of investment (e.g. “X new lifts this season”) can signal a forward-looking resort. Rankings sometimes note if a resort is continuously improving infrastructure, which can indirectly boost its standing.
Historical or Cultural Significance – Not typically a “statistic,” but occasionally considered: e.g. one of the oldest resorts, Olympic host, or local traditions. For comprehensive guides, such uniqueness can be a tiebreaker factor in evaluating the resort’s overall appeal beyond the raw numbers.

Each of these metrics and categories can be weighted differently depending on a user’s priorities. By considering all the above attributes – from the hard stats like vertical drop and snowfall to softer factors like family vibe and sustainability – one can build a custom ranking system to compare ski resorts based on what matters most to them. This exhaustive list of metrics ensures that whether a skier values extensive terrain, reliable snow, lively après-ski or eco-conscious management, they can quantify and evaluate resorts globally (with especially rich data available for Europe) according to their personal criteria.

Let us know what are your most important criteria for ranking and selecting resorts for your ski holidays.